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Activity books launching on ‘Shaka Laka…’ & ‘Sonpari’
MUMBAI: Star, a pioneer in innovative programming in a co-publishing venture with Popular Prakashan, a leading publishing house for over 75 years, is launching activity books based on two popular shows – Shaka Laka Boom Boom (SLBB) and Sonpari.
These activity books have been cleverly adapted to encourage fun activities and drawing/crafts skills in children.
As a part of the launch, a children’s colouring competition will be held at the Oxford Bookstore in Mumbai. The participants at the contest will meet the child stars of both the serials as a part of the event. Star India Pvt Ltd CEO Peter Mukerjea and Popular Prakashan Pvt Ltd director Harsha Bhatkal will announce the winners of the contest, which is being sponsored by Camlin Ltd.
Internationally, licensing forms a substantial revenue stream for many media companies. Some of the successfully merchandised international brands are Star Wars, The Simpsons, Ally McBeal, X-Men etc.
According to an official release, STAR is looking to duplicate this in India by leveraging the success of its television brands (soaps and serials) into licensed merchandise, aggressively creating the next generation of media connectivity by getting into licensing and syndication of its popular brands and content across various product and service categories.
Star has licensed products like drawing books and the magic pencil based on the SLBB serial which is very popular among children.
Star India Pvt. Ltd and Popular Prakashan have already launched Amitabh Bachchan’s Soul Curry for You and Me and Amitabh Ka Khazana (Hindi) both adapted from Star Plus’ hit game show Kaun Banega Crorepati.
There is another set of four storybooks based on episodes of SLBB, which will be launched shortly. SLBB has caught the attention and imagination of children across the country. Partnering with organisations such as Popular Prakashan for activity and storybooks, Sundaram for drawing books and Cats for pencils has given children the opportunity to participate in the brand. “We see this as a natural extension of our business and we will continue to work with organisations to launch licensed merchandise based on our popular content and successful brands,” says Mukerjea.
“The high TRP ratings of the Star TV shows have helped us with instant recall in the minds of the customer and our experience in the print medium has helped us to intelligently modify content to suit the needs of the reader. We have leveraged our mutual strengths to make a good product. These books have made a good start and we hope to publish many more such innovative products in the future,” says Bhatkal.
NEW DELHI: Hamdard Laboratories gathered a cross-section of India’s achievers in New Delhi on Friday, handing out the Hakeem Abdul Hameed Excellence Awards to figures who have left their mark across healthcare, education, sport, public service and the arts.
The ceremony, attended by minister of state for defence Sanjay Seth and senior officials from the ministry of Ayush, celebrated individuals whose work blends professional success with a sense of public purpose. It was as much a roll call of achievement as it was a reminder that influence is not measured only in profits or podiums, but in people reached and lives improved.
Among the headline awardees was Alakh Pandey, founder and chief executive of PhysicsWallah, recognised for turning affordable digital learning into a mass movement. On the sporting front, Arjuna Awardee and kabaddi player Sakshi Puniya was honoured for her contribution to the game and for pushing women’s participation onto bigger stages.
The cultural spotlight fell on veteran lyricist and poet Santosh Anand, whose songs have echoed across generations of Hindi cinema. At 97, Anand accepted the honour with characteristic humility, reflecting on a life shaped by perseverance and hope.
Healthcare honours spanned both modern and traditional systems. Manoj N. Nesari was recognised for strengthening Ayurveda’s place in national and global health frameworks. Padma shri Mohammed Abdul Waheed was honoured for his research-backed work in Unani medicine, while padma shri Mohsin Wali received recognition for his long-standing contribution to patient-centred care.
Education and social development also featured prominently. Padma shri Zahir Ishaq Kazi was honoured for decades of work in education, while former Meghalaya superintendent of Police T. C. Chacko was recognised for public service. Goonj founder Anshu Gupta received an award for his dignity-centred rural development initiatives, and the Hunar Shakti Foundation was honoured for empowering women and young girls through skill development.
The Lifetime Achievement Award went to former IAS officer Shailaja Chandra for her long career in public healthcare and governance, particularly in the traditional systems under Ayush.
Speaking at the event, Hamdard chairman Abdul Majeed said the awards were a tribute to those who combine excellence with empathy. “These awardees reflect Hakeem Sahib’s belief that healthcare, education and public service must ultimately serve humanity,” he said.
Minister Seth struck a forward-looking note, saying India’s young population gives the country a unique opportunity to become a global destination for learning, health and wellness by 2047.
The ceremony also featured the trailer launch of Unani Ki Kahaani, an upcoming documentary starring actor Jim Sarbh, set to premiere on Discovery on 11 February.
Instituted in memory of Unani scholar and educationist Hakeem Abdul Hameed, the awards have grown into a national platform that celebrates those building a more inclusive and resilient India. For one evening at least, the spotlight was not just on success, but on service with substance.
